Portable steaming apparatus



Oct. 30, 1945. n H K ELMAN ET AL .2,387,724

PORTABLE STEAMI NG APPARATUS Filed March 29, 1944 f i al' 0 1 'I 3432 24' as 26 /rmvm l l l l.

5 c fo i 4%? f6 1g-5- i vENToRs HELE/v ELHNN mvo Ruban/r C, Bees/mmv Patentecl Oct. 3G, 1945 PRTABLE STEAMING APPARATUS Helen K. Elman and Rudolph C. Bergmann, New York, N. Y.

Application March 29, 1944, Serial No. 528,539

6 Claims.

This invention relates to portable steaming apparatus particularly designed for steaming garments whereby to remove wrinkles therefrom.

When traveling, or when in locations remote from tailoring establishments or valet service it has been found diflicult to provide means for removing wrinkles from garments. It is not convenient for travelers to pack electric irons in their traveling bags, and even if it were convenient to carry such irons it is not possible on conveyances to provide a substitute ironing board which is necessary in using an iron to remove wrinkles from garments.

The present invention provides a device particularly suited for use in traveling or in locations where valet service is not available, and has for its principal object the provision of a portable steaming device which is neat, compact, of light weight construction, and which can readily be packed in a traveling bag wherein it will occupy a minimum of space without adding unduly to the weight of the bag.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated `.which is readily operable and which is very efcient in removing wrinkles from garments.

A still further object of the present invention resides in a novel handle construction which slides into a compartment or recess in the wall of the device when not in use, which handle is pro-vided with a sliding member for covering the steam nozzle of the device whereby to insure against leakage should any liquid inadvertently remain in the device after use.

Other and further objects of this invention will be manifest from the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which drawlng:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail which shows the preferred embodiment cf the invention com-- prising a casing or housing lil of lightweight material, preferably plastic such as Lucite, Bakelite or the like. The casing which is preferably molded is provided with a recess l2 which constitutes a steam generating chamber.

The recess l2 has a shoulder I4 accommodating a plate I6 for supporting an immersion heater I8. The structural details of this heater are not illustrated inasmuch as the same do not constitute part oi the present invention, and for the reason that any suitable heater or steam generating means may be employed.

The heater I8 is secured to the supporting plate i6 in any suitable manner as for example by its threaded extension 2U and nut 22.

The extension 2i) also carries electric terminals 24 and 26. A contact member 28 is secured to the terminal 24 and carries a contact point 3E which normally is in engagement with another contact point 32 carried on a contact member 34. The contact member 34 is riveted or otherwise secured to an arm 36 which in turn is secured to one terminal 4c of a conventional electric connector 42 mounted in the wall of the casing IG. The other terminal 26 of the extension 2B has an arm 44 secured thereto, which arm in turn is secured to the other terminal 46 of the electrical connector 42.

A thermostatic bi-metal member 48 is also carried by the extension 2c and is provided with a downwardly projecting rod 5G having its free end in Vertical alignment with the free end of the arm 34, but normally spaced therefrom.

As will be seen from Fig. 2 one end wall of the casing has a recess 52 formed therein to accommodate the connector 42 so that the connector will be within the outer plane of the wall whereby to be protected and to avoid interference with or injury to any garments when the device is packed in a traveling bag. A conventional electric receptacle or plug 54 is carried on one end of a conventional electric cord 56 for connection to the connector 42 in the usual manner. This cord has an electric plug 58 at its other end for connection to an electric wall outlet or other source of electric current.

A closure plate 60 is removably secured to the bottom of the casing by any suitable means such as screws B2 whereby to permit of the assembly of the parts of the device and to permit of access to the parts if desired.

In the end wall opposite the recess 52 another recess `64 is formed to accommodate a iiller plug 66. A threaded bore BT is formed in the base of the recess 64 and communicates with the interior of the steam generating chamber l2. The plug 66 has a thumb piece 68 on its exterior and is provided with a screw threaded extension at its other end whereby the same may be removably secured in the bore 64. A gasket or other leak preventing means 'l0 is provided intermediate the plug and the bottom of the recess B4 and another gas ket or leak-preventing means 'l2 may be provided intermediate the plate l5 and the shoulder I4 of the casing.

As will be seen from Fig. 2 the upper portion of the steam generating chamber has a concave extension 14 providing a steam pocket. Adjacent this pocket a bore 'I6 of small diameter extends diagonally outwardly from the chamber to a condensate trap 'I8 in the top wall of the casing. The trap 'I8 is covered with a perforated plate 80 which forms the steam discharge nozzle for the device.

A pair of opposed iianges 82 is provided at the upper ends of the side walls of the casing l0. These flanges extend longitudinally of the side walls and are spaced from the top Wallin which the plate 80 is positioned. A slide 84 is carried in theI space between the anges 82 and the top wall which as will be seen from Fig, 1 is adapted to slide in the said space to cover the discharge nozzle when the device is not in use and to uncover the same when the device is in use. The slide 84 has a handle 8S integral at one end thereof. This handle in addition to manipulating the slide 84 also serves as a handle for the device when in use.

The end wall of the casing adjacent the handle is provided with a recess 88 of substantially the same size and of the same contour or shape as the handle so as to accommodate the handle when the device is not in use. The outer surface of the handle is iiush with or in the same plane as the outery surface of the end wall when the handle is in the recess 88.

In operation the filler plug 68 is removed, and with the handle side of the device lowermost, the desired amount of water or other liquid is poured through the recess B4 into the steam generating chamber l2 and the filler cap then restored. The electric plug 58 is then inserted in an electric outlet (not shown) and the device allowed to stand on its base or held by the handle until steam, generated,l by the immersion heater I8, begins to escape by way of the bore 16 through the discharge nozzle 80.

The device may then be brought sufficiently close to the garment to be steamed whereby the steam issuing from the nozzle contacts the garment. The garment, during the steaming operation, may be held by one hand of the operator or suspended from a garment hanger leaving the other hand free to hold and manipulate the device. As the steam is applied to the various parts of the garment where wrinkles are to be removed the garment is moistened, whereby the wrinkles disappear and the garment is restored to its unwrinkled condition.

If desired in steaming ladies garments a few drops of perfume may be placed in the water to impart a scent to the garment, or any other desired liquid may be employed, such as an oil to restore lost oil to the garment, if the material` of the garment is of such a character as to' require treatment of that nature.

The thermostatic or heat responsive member 48 is provided whereby the electric circuit to the heater I8 may be intermittently opened and closed to avoid overheating. This member also serves as a safety means should the device for example be left unattended by the operator or for any other reason. The electric circuit is automatically opened upon a rise in temperature above a predetermined degree bythe said thermostatic element 48 flexing to cause the rod 59 to en'- gage the contact 34 to thereby separate the contact points 3@ and 32 whereby the current to the heater is cut oi. After the, device cools and the element @8 flexes back to its normal position the circuit is again closed to supply current to the heater. Q

After use, the device may be drained of the remaining unused liquid by removal of the flller cap 66 after which the cap may be restored and the handle moved into the recess 88 and the device stored away.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a device which is neat in appearance, compact, eiiicient and safe in operation, readily adapted for use and of light weight construction.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described one embodiment of our invention we do not wish to be limited to such embodiment, as obviously various changes and modiiications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1'. A portable device for steaming garments and the like comprising a hollow moulded body member forming a steam chamber and adapted to enclose a heating element, opposed anges integral with and spaced from one Wall thereof providing a guideway within the confines of the body, a discharge nozzlein the said wall, a handle having an extension Vslidable in said guideway and adapted to cover and uncover said nozzle.

2. A portable device for steaming garments and the like comprising a hollow moulded body member forming a steam chamber and adapted to enclose a heating element, a steam pocket in said chamber and provided with an outlet passage, opposed flanges extending longitudinally of and spaced from one wall thereof providing a guideway, a discharge nozzle in the said wall and being in communication with said passage, a handle having an extension slidable in said guideway and adapted to cover and uncover said nozzle.

3. A portable device for steaming garments comprising a housing, a steam generating chamber therein, means in said chamber for generating steam, a nozzle in the top wall of said casing and in substantially the same plane as the outer surface of said wall, a conduit formed in said casing leading from the said chamber to said nozzle for the discharge of steam from said chamber, a handle movable relative to said casing and having a longitudinally extending integral closure adapted for movement with the handle to cover and uncover said nozzle, said housing having a depression in one of its side walls for receiving said handle within the con-nes of the housing when the said closure' is in position' to cover said nozzle. u

4. A portable device for steaming garments and the like comprising in combination a hollow moulded housing, an electric heating element, means' for mounting said element in said housing, electric conducting means carried by said mounting means, heat responsive means for disconnecting said conducting means upon a rise in temperature aboveI a predeterminedv degree, said housingy having an orifice for admitting liquid to the interior thereof for Contact with said heating element whereby tol generate steam in said housing, a nozzle in the top wall of said housing, a conduit formed in said housing leading from the ii'iteriorv thereof to said nozzle for the discharge of steam, and a handle having an integral nozzle closure extension operableV to cover and uncover said nozzle, said housing having a depression in one of its side walls: for receiving said handle within the coniines of the housing when said clo's'ure is in' positiontov cover said nozzle.

5. A portable device for steaming garments and the like comprising in combination a hollow moulded housing, an electric heating element,

means for mounting said element in said housing, electric conducting means carried by said mounting means, heat responsive means for disconnecting said conducting means upon a rise in temperature above a predetermined degree, said housing having an orice for admitting liquid to the interior thereof for contact with said heating element whereby to generate steam in said housing, a nozzle in one Wall of' said housing, a bore in said wall extending at an angle from said nozzle to the interior of said housing for the discharge of steam, a condensate trap formed in said housing in juxtaposition to said nozzle, and a handle having an extension operable to cover and uncover said nozzle.

6. A portable device for steaming garments and the like comprising in combination a hollow moulded housing, an electric heating element in said housing, electric conducting means carried by said mounting means, heat responsive means for disconnecting said conducting means upon a rise in temperature above a predetermined degree, said housing having an orice for admitting liquid to the interior thereof for Contact with said heating element whereby to generate steam in said housing, a nozzle in one wall of said housing, aconduit formed in said housing leading from the interior thereof to said nozzle for the discharge of steam, opposed longitudinally eX- tending anges on and within the coniines of said housing, and a handle having an extension slidable intermediate said flanges to cover and uncover said nozzle.

HELEN K. ELMAN. RUDOLPH C. BERGMANN. 

